Concerns Mount as Injuries Increase

By all accounts, this past week was an extremely successful training week. I logged about 15 miles and tackled a daunting 7 mile run on Saturday morning. Wednesday night, during a 4.5 mile run, I tweaked my left ankle. I didn't notice the discomfort until after I was finished.

Ice, compression, elevation and two days of rest followed. Saturday morning the ankle felt fine, although probably still a bit tender. I decided to run anyway, fearing I would fall behind if I fail to complete the long run. As I started running my ankle felt fine. No pain or discomfort at all.

Then it happened. As I ran down Eastern Parkway I hit a uneven slab of concrete on the sidewalk with my right toe. Violently, I lunged forward landing hard on my right foot. As this happened I know I let out a primal yelp. The whole event caught me by surprise. I stopped for a second and gathered my composure. Is everything ok? Nothing hurts, no pulls or breaks. I lucked out.

I finished the run, passing several Louisville landmarks along the way. I ran past St. X, and then turned left and passed the Louisville Zoo, through Joe Creason Park and up Newburgh Road. Then I passed Bellarmine University before turning right back onto Eastern Parkway. Stopping in front of Fleet Feet my Ipod read 6.97 miles. I jogged around for 30 more seconds until I finished 7 miles. 7.04 to be exact.

I felt great after the run. It was a real sense of accomplishment to run that many miles. That's the real allure of running. Conquering goals, that seem impossible with discipline and time. I returned home invigorated and pleased with my workout.

Robin was very sick on Saturday and spent most of the day on the couch sleeping. She contracted some sort of nasty virus that left her fevered and congested. This meant I spent most of the day on my feet attending to the many chores and children in my house. That's when I noticed the ankle pain.

I should have rested, but duty called and Robin was in no condition to get up. By the end of the day, my ankle was pretty sore. The next day, it felt even worse. Rest, ice, compression, elevation, repeat. That's all I can do.

It feels a little better this morning, but I won't run again until the pain completely subsides. These ankle twists are normal for runners, but the injury raises concerns. Will this put me off schedule? How long will this take to heal?

Thankfully, I am a bit ahead of schedule for the mini-marathon so I can afford to take some time off and rest. I'll keep you posted on how my rehabilitation progresses.

Playlists and Other News

Here's a list of some of my favorite running songs:

1. Baba O'Riley - The Who - The opening synthesizer riff does something special to get my legs moving again. I like to put this song towards the end of a run so it pumps me up.
2. Release Me - Pearl Jam - I know most of you are thinking, "That song is painfully slow". That's true, but it is also very relaxing and hypnotic, and really helps me find my groove while running.
3. Going the Distance - Cake - C'mon...what runner wouldn't have this song on their playlist? Great beat, great lyrics and a great theme.
4. In the Crossfire - StarSailor - Opens with the prophetic lyrics, "I don't see myself when I look in the mirror, I see the person that I want to be".
5. Philosophy - Ben Folds Five - "Go ahead you can laugh all you want, but I got my Philosophy!" Upbeat song, with a good tempo and enough happy chords to keep you positive when the miles get grueling.

And now for some songs that will never make my running playlist but are in every other playlist:

1. It Never Entered my Mind - Miles Davis - Good for dancing slow with your wife or reading a book on a rainy spring day. Not so good for running.
2. Dear Someone - Gillian Welch - If you haven't discovered Gillian Welch's demure and silky voice, you really are missing out on one of America's treasures. This song highlights the whimsical beauty of her Appalachian infused folk.
3. Wrecking Ball - Gillian Welch - Another beauty from Welch. It's sad and poignant and the music is amazing.
4. Turn Me On - Norah Jones - If you haven't discovered Norah Jones demure and...wait a minute, didn't I just do this.
5. Wayfaring Stranger - Sam Bush - Bush is the undisputed master of the mandolin. His version of Wayfaring Stranger is incredible.

Okay, so those are some of my favorite songs right now. Some are good for running, some aren't.

Saturday, I ran 10k in Cherokee Park. For the first time, I ran with the group at Fleet Feet on Bardstown Road. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. As I started running with the group, I noticed the pace was very brisk. About 1k into the run, I struggled to keep up with the more seasoned runners.

It was decision time. Should I try to keep up with that pace and jeopardize my planned distance or break off and find my own groove. Ultimately, I chose to run solo. I actually enjoy running alone. It's very introspective and quiet. I finished the run with a little strength left but not much. It was a tough run, conquering the steep hills and cold temperatures.

I did post a personal best fastest mile (10'15") and 5k (32'59"). I rested on Sunday and ran yesterday. I felt possessed and ran hard out of the gate posting a new fastest mile (9'54") and 5k (32'20").

My first race is coming up in a five weeks, the Anthem 5k. My goal is to run that in 31 minutes or less. I feel well on my way to achieving that goal.

Also, my sister confirmed she will run the Derby Festival mini-marathon with me on April 29th. I'm very excited to have a running partner, but also genuinely thrilled to spend some quality with my New Jersey family. Hopefully, Mom will make the trip as well to cheer us on.

Burning the Midnight Oil

Tonight is one of those nights I have to work into the wee hours of the morning. It doesn't happen that often and I don't really mind. Such is the life of an IT professional.

I ran tonight at about 8:20 to give myself a boost of energy. Unfortunately, I ate dinner at about 6:45. Now this probably would not cause any problems, except for the fact we had sausage, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes for dinner. Not necessarily light fare.

Midway through my run, as I was burping up sauerkraut, I realized the real accomplishment is not vomiting. Up to this point, I haven't hurled during any run. Eating a large German meal prior to a brisk run is a recipe for disaster.

I'm pleased to report that I did NOT throw up, although it took my unusually strong constitution to prevent that from happening. That was the longest 2 miles of my life. In addition, I think my pace suffered because of my full stomach and nausea. I ran at 10'59".

It's still miles under my belt as far as I'm concerned.

The night before I ran about 3 miles. I don't know for sure, because in my infinite wisdom I managed to turn off my Ipod right before my workout completed, thus erasing all the data. Duh.

I'm not too upset. I know I ran the miles. It just won't be recorded at Nike.com.

Tomorrow, I'll take the day off to rest. Then Saturday I'll attempt a 10k in the frigid cold. The wind chill that morning is supposed to top off at 17 degrees. Colder than a witches...well you know the rest.

Vision Quest

The Lakota Indians believed in the concept of a vision quest as a rite of passage. During these ordeals, young teens would fast, seek the guidance of tribal holy men, and leave the confines of their community to venture into the wilderness. This sojourn served to encourage personal growth and spiritual realization.

Comparing a running regiment to a Native American vision quest is haughty on all levels; however, there are significant physical and psychological impacts on the runner after time. The physical effects are obvious; better health and wellness, weight loss, gained strength, endurance and energy.

The mental effects outweigh the physical by far, though. The overwhelming sense of accomplishment when I achieve a new personal best or have a particularly good workout. The quiet peace that envelops the runner during the run when all things go numb and all your worries wash into the pavement with every pounding step. I think that's the main reason I look forward to running. Everything else ceases and I can find that thin place where the veil between Heaven and Earth seems translucent.

This all sounds so pretentious, and I honestly don't mean to overstate and write dramatically. I feel strongly that all people seek to find that spot in the universe where they feel the most connected with some higher power. We all get there different ways: writing, painting, working on cars, fishing, hiking, playing with our kids, etc.

I think this is one reason I feel that I will keep running long after I've reached my goals. I'm not ready to let that feeling go.

Sunday, I ran 4.71 miles at a great pace (10'38"). I used the timed workout feature on the Nike + Ipod device, and set the workout for 45 minutes. I actually ran a little over 50 minutes and felt great during and after the run.

This weekend I'll try to tackle 6 miles. I think I'm ready, and I'm looking forward to seeing another thin place.

5K Personal Best

One of the truly great feelings during the training process is achieving and superseding milestones. As a goal-oriented person, successfully lapping a previous achievement brings a strong sense of accomplishment and pride. It also serves to further fuel your training fire.

Wednesday, I ran a 5K with a new running partner. His presence gave me encouragement to run faster and harder. As a seasoned marathoner, he kept me going even when I struggled at certain times. Here are the statistics from my run:

Distance - 3.13 miles
Time - 33'52
Pace - 10'48"/mile

I set a personal bests for 5K (33'31"), best mile (10'21") and best kilometer (6'18"). I also lowered my average pace to 11'17".

I don't expect to make such dramatic progress every day, but a good day really lifts the spirits and keeps me going.

Plantar Fasciitis

During my training I anticipated injury. I knew it was a only a matter of time as I consistently push my body further and further.

Sunday, after my 4-mile run, I experienced some sharp pains in my right heel. I iced and elevated the heel that evening and attributed the discomfort to my new running shoes.

The next day I completed my planned 30 minute run, running 2.63 miles at 11'25" average pace. Again, after the run I felt significant discomfort in my right heel. I resigned to calling Fleet Feet the next morning, concerned that my new shoes were not quite right for my feet.

I called Fleet Feet and they recommended I come in to get checked out, so I did during my lunch break. There was no doubt upon examination that the pain was plantar fasciitis...my first sports injury.

Basically, plantar fasciitis is inflammation or, in severe cases, tearing of the plantar fascia tendon on the bottom of the foot. The good news; almost every runner suffers from this at one point or another. In addition, you can still train through the ailment as long as certain precautions are observed.

So this morning I ate my frosted mini-wheats while rolling my foot on a Dr. Pepper bottle filled with ice. The icy massage was a great way to start the day and my foot feels super so far. I'm looking forward to running 5k after work today and diligently stretching afterwards. Tonight, I'll repeat my ice bottle massage.

Gearing Up

This past Saturday I visited Fleet Feet on Bardstown Road to get fitted for my first pair of proper running shoes. I have to say, I enjoyed the experience. The staff is knowledgeable and passionate about running. In addition they took time to make sure I got exactly what I wanted and needed.

I feel obligated to mention Jen, the cheerful employee that assisted me in the store. She analyzed my running by video taping my stride on a treadmill. After that, I was given about four pairs of shoes to try on and test. Since I'm a pavement-pounder, that is, I do most of my running outside, I tested the shoes by running around the Highlands. No doubt, I looked silly trotting around the store in my new shoes, but who cares.

In the end, I purchased a pair of Mizuno Wave Alchemy 6 shoes. They have lots of cushion and felt extremely light when pounding the hard asphalt. They also feature a shiny silver emblem reminscent of the disco era, which I find mildly amusing.

I also took the plunge and bought the Nike + Ipod sensor and pouch for my new shoes. My loving wife gave me an Ipod Nano for Christmas this year and the it has been one of the greatest presents ever. I wear it all the time, work, running, doing housework, etc. I now have a soundtrack for my life.

The Nike + Ipod sensor is incredible. I used it for the first time on Sunday during my long run. I simply set a distance of 4 miles in my Ipod and hit start. During the course of my run, a soothing voice would interrupt the music and update my progress. There are more options that I haven't discovered yet, but the benefits of this little device seem to greatly outweigh the low cost ($29).

I ran 4 miles at a 11'33" pace which was my goal. Later in the day, I felt tired but generally good. I think I could have pushed one more mile, but a slow and steady training progression is better so I don't injure myself.

I really think anyone can take up running and succeed if done smartly. During the run I experienced a true "breakthrough" moment as the pain subsided and I was overcome with an overwhelming feeling of optimism and euphoria. It is truly incredible. With every run, I feel more like a runner and an athlete, and that's a feeling that is priceless.

Revenge of the Zit

This morning I woke up, exited the shower and looked in the mirror only to discover an enormous zit on my chin. It's so large it began to develop it's own personality. This wouldn't be so bad, except now it's hogging the remote.

Soon my zit will grow larger and discover self-awareness. Trapped on my face, the zit may question my authority and rebel or even declare sovereignty from my face. Battles will erupt and blood will be shed. Ultimately, the zit will lose, because I am larger and better equipped. Also, as a student of history, I will take the zit's threats seriously and use my full force to quell the rebellion.

In the end I will be victorious.

In addition to zit battles, today is my 9th wedding anniversary. Playing the part of stupid male, I forgot, but so did my wife so all's good. For our gala celebration, we ate fried flounder with brocolli and carrots and watched back-to-back episodes of "Grey's Anatomy" on DVD. The fun never stops in this house.

I apologize for the hiatus. The holidays demanded mush of my spare time, so the blog suffered. I am pleased to inform that the training did not suffer. I ran while on vacation in New Jersey and had an excellent run tonight back home. 3.4 miles to be exact, although I walked some of that distance. Still, that's a milestone for me.

With the beginning of the year begins my earnest training towards running the mini-marathon on April 28th. I'm looking forward to the race as a chance to prove to myself that this is possible. So far, I've remained disciplined through the gorging and laziness of Christmas.

The rest of the year should be much easier.